Screws aid reliable and cheap assembly of plastics

Arnold Umformtechnik has released Remform and ATP screws, which provide reliable and cost-effective assembly methods for plastics.

Remform screws are suitable for use with detachable plastic-part joints, while the Arnold Tripress (ATP) joints are dedicated to permanent joints for ductile light metals or plastics.

Detachable joints are usually formed using bolts and nuts.

They require a significant amount of assembly time.

The most economical option for fulfilling these extensive requirements is to use Remform screws for direct assembly with plastics.

This form of threaded fastener assembly minimises the overall cost because the use of direct-assembly technology with plastics eliminates operations such as fitting inserts.

Thanks to the asymmetric flanks of the thread profile, Remform screws give the entire joint high operational reliability.

The asymmetric thread geometry of the screw optimises the material flow of the thread formed in the plastic and increases the pull-out force compared with conventional symmetric thread flanks.

Remform provides high-assembly process reliability due to the large differential between the screw-in torque and the stripping torque, along with high dynamic load capacity due to the reinforced thread core cross-section.

As recently demonstrated with the use of Remform screws by a renowned manufacturer of washing machines, this is more than just abstract theory.

The customer’s requirements involved the assembly of a two-piece washing machine outer drum, which required fulfilling the following parameters: the residual clamp force had to remain at an adequate level for the lifetime of the washing machine to ensure the leak-tightness of the drum;operating temperature range had to be -10C to +65C; assembly time had to be less than one second per screw; and it had to resist vibration.

The ATP is a fastener that can be used to produce a detachable or permanent joint, or even a combination of the two.

Permanent joints are most often made by welding, gluing, riveting or clipping.

Although these methods ensure the parts cannot become separated, they are often expensive.